GLAAD - East Tulsahttp://www.glaad.org/tags/east-tulsa
enMedia Expose Need for Inclusive Hate Crimes Legislation in Oklahomahttp://www.glaad.org/2008/08/20/media-expose-need-for-inclusive-hate-crimes-legislation-in-oklahoma
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p> </p>
<p>In the middle of July, television and print media outlets in Tulsa, Oklahoma covered the story of an East Tulsa couple whose home and vehicle were targeted because of their sexual orientation. Though <a href="http://www.fox23.com/content/links/redirect.aspx?content_id=459c36b1-2c4d-450e-bfe7-e48d93f54a5f">Oklahoma’s hate crimes law</a> does not include sexual orientation or gender identity, the first round of coverage in the <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080718_11_A1_hGAYCO522310"><em>Tulsa World</em></a> and the local FOX affiliate <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QuELAJXUyU">FOX 23</a> </em>demonstrated inequity within the current statue. In addition to vandalism, the perpetrator(s) warned Robert Stotler and his partner that “I’ll be back” after setting their truck on fire and spray painting “Gay Must Go” and “Gay Go Away” on both their home and vehicle.</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-898" title="Tulsa Hate Crime" src="http://glaadblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/tulsa-hate-crime-300x209.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="209" />Outlets investigated the <a href="http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=c4be049f-d4da-416c-81dd-6256c5e62c49">number of hate crimes targeting gay people</a> each year, and determined that several of such crimes go unreported. Reporters allowed community leaders to correct false claims that hate crimes statutes infringe on free speech. Further, widespread coverage of Stotler’s crime generated local concern, and over 100 residents attended a <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080817_11_A7_Ihaeoh656761">forum on hate-crimes legislation</a> hosted by the statewide advocacy group Oklahomans for Equality. Though legislators made five unsuccessful attempts to include orientation in the state statute during the last general session, sponsoring legislators joined this forum signaling they wouldn’t give up, and garnered further <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080820_11_A11_Thesho10146">media coverage</a>that functions to broaden support for the issue.</p>
<p>When media focus on the stories of victims of harassment or violence, audiences personally relate to the injustices that affect the security of their local communities. Journalists’ accurate, detailed and compassionate exploration of this crime educated audiences and laid the groundwork needed for widespread change. Though these issues must ultimately be resolved legislatively, media attention to the lack of protection for gay citizens ensures that constituents are educated on current problems before lawmakers return to the capitol.</p>
<p><em>Paul Karr is Director of Media Field Strategy.</em> </p>
<p>(Photo credit: Aram Boghosian/<em>Tulsa World</em>)<br /></p><div align="left">
</div>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">August 20, 2008</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/local-and-regional-news">Local and Regional News</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!--
THIS FILE IS NOT USED AND IS HERE AS A STARTING POINT FOR CUSTOMIZATION ONLY.
See http://api.drupal.org/api/function/theme_field/7 for details.
After copying this file to your theme's folder and customizing it, remove this
HTML comment.
-->
<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/east-tulsa">East Tulsa</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/gay-must">Gay Must</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/hate-crime">Hate Crime</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/robert-stotler">Robert Stotler</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/television">television</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:14:18 +0000glaad30951 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/2008/08/20/media-expose-need-for-inclusive-hate-crimes-legislation-in-oklahoma#comments